Governor Kim Reynolds signed House File 847 into law on Wednesday evening after the Iowa legislature adjourned Sine Die. The bill contained a number of education policies which included language from Rep. Carter Nordman to require all Iowa schools to lead the pledge of allegiance once a day in grades 1-12.
The House had passed Rep. Nordman’s stand-alone bill earlier in the legislative session but was added to HF847 as an amendment by the Iowa Senate.
“I am extremely proud that HF 847, which included my pledge of allegiance language, was
signed by Governor Reynolds this week,” said Rep. Nordman. “By being just one of a few states who did not have pledge of allegiance language in our code, we were doing a disservice to our students.”
Nordman is hoping this will serve as an opportunity for teachers to teach students the true
meaning of the pledge of allegiance.
“We don’t pledge our allegiance to a government or a leader. We pledge our loyalty to an idea. The American idea. We pledge our loyalty to the greatest social experiment to ever happen on this planet. That is why I believe the pledge of allegiance is so important,” Nordman said.
Starting next school year, all public schools will begin leading their students in the pledge of
allegiance each day.
“When writing the original bill, I wanted to ensure student’s first amendment rights would not be infringed upon. That is why there is specific language included to protect the first amendment of all students,” Nordman said.
HF847 states, “A student shall not be compelled against the student’s objection or those of the student’s parent or guardian to recite the pledge.”
“During a time of such political divide in our nation, I believe the pledge is something that can bring all Americans together, regardless of political affiliation.”
